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Biomedical subjects

Stephen R Baker

Publications and source records attributed to Stephen R Baker.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2007

Self-subsidization of educational expenses by senior radiology residents.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to document the degree of self-subsidization of educational expenses by senior radiology residents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Questionnaires were distributed to all radiology residents (n = 176) attending the New Jersey Medical School board review course held twice in 2006. Respondents (n = 175) documented the number and source of financial support for review courses they had or would attend, including the AFIP course in radiologic pathology. They also listed the amount of additional financial allowances paid to them by their programs and cited the funding source for the radiology board examinations. RESULTS: Average AFIP expenditure, including tuition, room, board, and travel, equaled 3,969 dollars +/- 45 dollars, of which 46% was paid by the residents themselves. The respondents attended, on average, two review courses costing 4,116 dollars +/- 149 dollars, bearing 77% of the costs. The average additional allowance paid to residents was 1,938 dollars +/- 156 dollars. Total board expenditures of 3,120 dollars, including fees and travel, were borne entirely by the residents. Total out-of-pocket expenses for these activities was 7,928 dollars +/- 165 dollars, which amounted to 16% of senior residents' average annual salary (49,746 dollars). CONCLUSION: The desire by both programs and trainees for success on the radiology board examination has stimulated the growth of review courses. The enduring popularity of the AFIP course has made this activity an essential rotation for most radiology residency programs. Each of these off-site opportunities incurs significant financial obligations to residents, and when added to the cost of the board exams, equals 16% of their average annual salary. Thus radiology residents are subsidizing their education to a considerable degree relative to their salaries. This study reveals that senior radiology residents significantly subsidize their education and bear the burden of hidden costs associated with their training.

Governing Board↗
PubMed2006

Case report: urinary retention secondary to a foreign body in the male urethra.

We report the case of a male patient who presented to the Emergency Department with urinary retention secondary to a suspected foreign object in his urethra. We review the diagnosis and management of self-inserted urethral foreign objects in men. Emergent treatment is necessary in patients with urethral foreign objects. Prompt radiologic studies should be obtained because immediate bladder access and drainage is mandatory, especially in patients presenting with urosepsis or urinary retention. Endoscopic removal is the management of choice.

Foreign Bodies↗
PubMed2006

The thyroid cancer epidemic: is it the dark side of the CT revolution?

The rapid increase in CT use since 1990 and especially in the past 10 years has been accompanied by a coterminous worldwide increase in incidence of thyroid cancer especially in women. Are the two trends independent or related? Specific information from many countries and seven American states suggest that the relationship is real as no other cause can account fully for the temporal change in the frequency of this malignancy. Moreover, newer techniques of CT performance with or without the administration of iodinated contrast material favor the likelihood of a contingent association of image test utilization and thyroid cancer induction.

Disease Outbreaks↗
PubMed2005

Quality and operations of portable X-ray examination procedures in the emergency room: queuing theory at work.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the operation of the portable X-ray machine in relation to examinations ordered by the Emergency Department at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, as well as to identify any bottlenecks hindering the performance of the aforementioned system. To do so, the activity of the portable X-ray was monitored in the period from 8 June 2004 to 24 June 2004, as well as from 6 July 2004 to 12 July 2004, yielding 11 days of data and 116 individual X-ray examinations. During observation times was noted for various checkpoints in the procedure. Using the data gathered, the average input, output, processing times, and variance were calculated. In turn, these values were used to calculate the response times for the Ordering Phase (5.502 min), traveling (2.483 min), Examination Phase (4.453 min), returning (3.855 min), Order Processing Phase (2.962 min), and the Development Phase (3.437 min). These phases were combined for a total of 22.721 min from the time the examination was placed to the time the X-ray films were uploaded to the PACS computer network. Based on these calculations, the Ordering Phase was determined to be the single largest bottleneck in the portable X-ray system. The Examination Phase also represented the second largest bottleneck for a combined total of 44% of the total response time.

Computer Communication Networks↗
PubMed2005

The radiology assistant: a contrarian's view.

Recent and rapid increases in the utilization of diagnostic imaging have not been matched by concomitant additions to the supply of radiologists and radiology technologists. One proposal to alleviate an expected worsening of this emerging workforce crisis is to create a new job category, the radiology assistant (RA), encompassing a roster of enhanced capabilities that would allow the radiologists to divest themselves of some of their non-interpretative duties with respect to the performance of imaging tests. Through the collaborative efforts of the American College of Radiology and the American Society of Radiology Technologists a nationally recognized, baccalaureate-level curriculum has been designed for the training of RAs. A centerpiece of the curriculum is instruction in fluoroscopy. However, examinations of the GI tract by fluoroscopy are rapidly declining in frequency, raising doubt about the enhanced value an RA would bring to a radiology practice in the near future and worries about encroachment on the range of radiologists' responsibilities over the long term.

Diagnostic Imaging↗
PubMed2004

Histopathologic evaluation of tissue extracted on the radiofrequency probe after ablation of liver tumors: preliminary findings.

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to evaluate the histologic characteristics of tissue extracted on the probe immediately after radiofrequency ablation of malignant tumors in the liver. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From April to December 2001, 20 radiofrequency ablations were performed in 19 patients with primary (n = 17) and metastatic (n = 2) liver masses. Track ablation according to device protocol was performed after each ablation. Tissue was adherent to the probe after all radiofrequency probe passes. All pieces of tissue found on the probe were collected and preserved in formalin. RESULTS: Tissue was examined by the study pathologist. In eight (40%) of 20 specimens, coagulation necrosis was present. In five (25%) of 20 specimens, possibly nonviable tissue was extracted, although some cell characteristics were identified. In seven (35%) of 20 specimens with hepatocellular carcinoma, possibly viable tissue was found. Five specimens were identified as hepatocellular carcinoma, and two, as cirrhotic nodules. CONCLUSION: Histopathologic evaluation of the tissue extracted on the radiofrequency probe after ablation is feasible. This study showed that coagulation necrosis was clearly present in at least 40% of the patients, which proves that nonviable tissue can be seen immediately after ablation. Whether this pathologic finding has prognostic value is not known.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Call back or else.

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Communication↗
PubMed2003

Sickle crisis.

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Acute Disease↗